Charlo

Hi, I’m Charlo, a financial advisor, a mother, a gardener, and very recently, also a trombone playing musician. I am 63, and I had never played an instrument before School of Honk rolled around in 2014. I had many musician friends, including my husband Paul, but it wasn’t what I did. I never even questioned that fact. Then School of Honk opened and turned my perspective upside down.
I can’t read music, though I am slowly learning how to, so I learned how to play by watching the trombone players next to me in School of Honk. I borrowed a trombone from the school initially, then I rented one from a local music store, and about six months in, I decided that this was actually working and I bought a used trombone. I have taken lessons to speed up my learning, I put in some time practicing, and now I have become one of the trombone mentors in the school who teaches others how to play. I’m not great, but I can play all the School of Honk songs and I’m getting better at soloing.
Miracles can happen. Old dogs can learn new tricks. I have, and I love it. Playing at School of Honk is always fun. What a joyous feeling it is to make music with our big band and to make the people on the streets so happy when they hear us. I love to dance also, and when I’m real happy, sometimes I have to put down my trombone and just dance to the music.